Funding for food industry

Food and drink companies, large and small, will benefit from more than £4.6 million of funding Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has announced.

The latest round of Food Processing, Manufacturing and Co-Operation grants will enable 15 projects to take their businesses to the next level by supporting new products and extending existing lines, or building new facilities – safeguarding 820 and creating 90 new jobs.

Speaking ahead of AgriScot 2017, which provides the best opportunity to spend time with a wide range of farming, food and supply businesses, Mr Ewing said:

“Our food and drink industry is world-renowned for the quality of our wonderful natural larder, and is a key contributor to Scotland’s economy. This investment of more than £4.6 million will benefit famers, meat packers and bakers across Scotland and further demonstrates my continuing commitment to supporting and growing that contribution.

“Not only will this funding help to create 90 new jobs, it will help safeguard 820 posts in our rural economy and help our food and drink companies expand their businesses and the products they offer."

This round of funding will see Dumfries and Galloway based meat processing company, Brown Brothers Manufacturing Ltd, extend their premises and purchase new equipment to make them more competitive, safeguarding 567 full time posts and creating 50 new jobs.

Brown Brothers Managing Director Alan Hill said:

“Working in partnership with local and national government will enable an already successful business like Brown Brothers to grow quicker and create further economic development within Dumfries and Galloway and Scotland.

“With the support of Food Processing, Manufacturing and Co-Operation grants funding and enabling work by Dumfries and Galloway Council, we will construct a new energy efficient extension to our meat processing facility and install state of the art production equipment. This will allow us to efficiently increase our throughput capacity and offer a ‘one stop shop’ for our customers in fresh, chilled and frozen cooked meats. This will provide long term job security and job creation.”

Background

Food Processing, Manufacturing and Co-Operation grants scheme (FPMC) is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme 2020 and is jointly funded by the Scottish Government and the European Union.